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In our last blog, we gave one quintessential Pro Tip for the garage, the laundry room, and the pantry. It was one of our favorite posts yet, and so we’re going to expend on each room in a follow-up post starting right now, with the laundry. If you didn’t catch the last blog, here’s the laundry room tip you missed:

Laundry rooms are usually smaller spaces that have to contain some of the largest machinery in the home besides the refrigerator. If you haven’t bought your washer and dryer yet, or if you have a stackable pair that’s stacked. Consider side-loaders arranged side-by-side to maximize surface space along the top. To spruce it up, lay a counter top down across them and/or install shelves.

To spruce up even further, put up a color besides laundry-room white, or tile a portion of the wall and in between shelves…

Now we’re really going to take care of our own with 4 more Pro Tips for the laundry room:

1. Lose a Few Cabinet Doors

As we said, the laundry room is already burdened with some massive pieces of heavy machinery, and many laundry rooms are small enough spaces as they are. If you’ve got cabinets, then to open up the room a little bit, and add some needed flare and variation, take off some of the doors and effectively convert them into cubby holes. You might improve storage capacity or ease of access with this tip too, but you’ll definitely liven up the space, especially if you’re feeling a bit cramped.

2. Flare out the Forgotten Spaces

We mentioned above and in our last post that mixing up the laundry-room white is essential but often overlooked. You don’t have to do every wall, you can accent paint, or tile portions. The same goes for the inside of cabinets, cubby holes, and in between shelves. Decoupage even. Like it or not, you’re going to have to spend some considerable time in the laundry room. We promise that spiffing up the scenery will make a big difference, and this is an easy step you can implement incrementally on Saturdays and free moments to make a little go a long way.

3. Roll Out

Multitasking, portable elements like rolling laundry butlers and racks that fold out can be a smaller laundry room’s best friend. They work overtime everywhere you need a surface, a basket, or a rack and they hide away when not in use. If it’s a small area, you’ll have to be strategic, and a rolling butler or smart ironing board can be just the ally you need.

4. It’s a Place for Laundry, But it’s Still a Room

The laundry room is a utilitarian space, but a space nonetheless. And that means using a little bit of that essential part of interior design we call accessories. Hang some art, or a mirror, treat the windows. If you’re living in the U.S., chances are you’re doing anywhere from two hundred to seven hundred loads of laundry a year. That’s a sizable amount of time spent in the laundry room, even if you do your folding elsewhere. So make it a place that’s comfortable to be. Incorporate design elements you enjoy throughout the house into the laundry room.

Today we’re going to crack open the organization playbook to the pro tips section and hit you with some of the best ideas you probably never of heard before for organizing your garage, pantry, and laundry room.

Garage

The biggest issue contributing to garage clutter is storing things that have no place anywhere else. Well, the truth is, these things may not belong in your garage anymore either. It might be time to get rid of some of the things that have settled here over the years. Here’s the rule of thumb:

The Three Year Rule

It you haven’t used it in three years, get rid of it. It’s time.

What do you do with all the things you’re getting rid of? Donate them, there’s a charity for almost everything. Check out our comprehensive list of charities that specialize in donations of almost any household item here.

Pantry

Get rid of store packaging that only makes sense in stores. Cereal comes in a box not so that you can easily store them efficiently within the precious space in your organized pantry, but because a cardboard box allows the marketing department to compete on the shelf among other brands, and sell the cereal. We don’t need this in the pantry.

Using glass jars is not only a more sightly way to store things like cereals and pastas, it keeps foods fresher longer, shows you exactly how much you have so you know when to by more, and saves a lot of space.

Laundry Room

Laundry rooms are usually smaller spaces that have to contain some of the largest machinery in the home besides the refrigerator. If you haven’t bought your washer and dryer yet, or if you have a stackable pair that’s stacked. Consider side-loaders arranged side-by-side to maximize surface space along the top. To spruce it up, lay a counter top down across them and/or install shelves.

To spruce up even further, put up a color besides laundry-room white, or tile a portion of the wall and in between shelves, like the photo above.

Many of us live in older homes that don’t seem to fit the new standard sizes of things. The shallow closet is where this is easily evident. Depending on the age of your home, you may not even have a closet deep enough to fit standard hangers properly. If this is the case we have a few suggestions to get the most out of this shallow space.

Hooks. Many old closets within older homes had hooks, rather than closet rods because hangers weren’t invented until the early 1900s and weren’t in homes until much later. Some may still have hooks installed, or have evidence that there were hooks. If hooks are something you don’t mind, and you want to keep the home close to original, this is a great option. Installing hooks will keep everything in arms reach, off the floor and clearly visible.

Install shelves. If you can, this is a great option and it will give you the much needed room for your clothing and shoes. Or use an old dresser if it will fit easily within the closet, instead.

Downsize the hangers. If your shallow closet is too narrow for standard hangers, purchase smaller hangers (like children’s hangers), or put your hangers diagonally on the closet rod. Another option is the tiered hanger solution. This way the clothes can be easily pushed away from the door so it can close.

Combine closet rods and shelving. Shallow closets usually continue a foot or more passed the door. So if this is the case install a short closet rod, from the back wall to the front wall next to the door, on each side. This will work perfectly for those items that need to be hung. Then, install shelves directly in front of the closet door for the clothes that can be folded neatly.

Get creative with your shallow closest. Combine two or all of the suggestions to get the most out of your closet space.

Attics are amazing storage units that you don’t have to pay for. If your attic hasn’t been turned into a secret bedroom hideaway, then take advantage of the space and start storing!

Keep in mind though, that unfinished attics generally aren’t heated or cooled. Meaning, whatever the temperature is outside is the temperature your attic will be, so be sure that what you want to store won’t be affected by the temperature change.

Check it Out & Clean it Out

Check out your attic, if you haven’t been up there. Look around and see how much space you have to work with, as well as check for any unwanted pests. You may even want a floor system installed if your attic doesn’t have a floor. Also be sure that your attic is properly ventilated, so that the air doesn’t become stagnant and damage what you will be storing.

Once you’re pest free and well ventilated, clean it out. Years of dust and grime should be vacuumed up, so it doesn’t put wear and tear on your items.

Store & Stow

Now that your attic is cleaned out the storing can begin. Here are a few suggestions of what to store in your new space:

Seasonal Clothing you don’t have room for

Baby Items

Kids’ Toys

Old Furniture you can’t part with

Holiday Decorations

Bedding

Anything you want can be stored in the attic. Remember, easy to stack and label, boxes and bins will keep your items dry and dust free. Everything should be covered, or boxed up.

Finally, organizing where you place everything will help you find what you need easily. We suggest putting items that you’ll need more often closer to the attic entrance, like clothing and holiday decorations, and things like old furniture you’re saving should be placed farther back.

So take advantage of that attic and get that clutter out of your living spaces.

Trunks, we all have at least one, but we don’t all use them to our advantage. Whether it’s a “sea-trunk” that Great-Grandma brought with her to America or one you bought last week, trunks are a unique storage space and conversation piece.

Put some Junk in the Trunk

Depending on the size and shape of your trunk you can store nearly anything. Some even have separate compartments or drawers, thus helping store and organize whatever items you want.

Use it as a toy chest or board game storage, so kids can easily reach and store their favorite toys and games.

Store bedding that clots up your closet space

Store clothes (especially if it has drawers) during college, or long trips

Use Great-Grandma’s “Sea-trunk” as a TV stand or use it as a coffee table (if the lid isn’t smooth get some table glass to put over it). People will take notice of all those old travel stickers.

If it’s a small trunk that can easily fit on a dresser, store small things like: jewelry, makeup or even rolled up ties.

Use it as a hope chest, and store any Family heirlooms, photos or newspaper clippings.

Trunks can store and be used for nearly anything, so long as it fits. Whether it’s Great-Grandma’s old beat up one, or one from college covered in stickers from your friends and vacations, or even if it’s plain wood or wicker, each trunk has a unique look and personality. Use trunks to your advantage because they are a great storage asset.